WIMBLEDON

July 3, 2000

Pete Sampras

MODERATOR: Ladies and Gentlemen, Pete Sampras.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah (smiling). Got a good chance.

PETE SAMPRAS: We'll find out soon.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I felt better about the way I played today versus the other day against Justin. Not playing for a couple days, I came out obviously very rusty. Today I was a lot more comfortable; hit the ball pretty well. So I was pleased I was able to get it over with, you know, before the rain started.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: (Shaking head.)

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, you know, I think my body language against Justin was pretty poor. You know, I was dropping my head even more than usual (laughter). You know, Paul and people said, "Show a little more energy," not only for myself but for my opponent, for the crowd. You know, I made an effort to do that, to show a little bit more emotion. I was playing a little bit better. But, sure, it is the second week and you want to step it up. I just feel like my energy was a lot better today versus Justin. Justin, I was out of sorts with my mind and everything. It was nice to go out with a good attitude today, a positive attitude. As a result, I played quite well.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, yeah. Versus Justin, I had no rhythm. Just having one day off, I came out -- I really concentrated in the warm-up to really get my rhythm on my serve. You know, if I get my serve going, especially my second serve, it just makes me, you know, that much more difficult to break. Playing someone that returns well, Jonas, you need to do a lot with it. You know, I go for it. Sometimes you pull it off and hit good serves, sometimes you throw in doubles. It is confidence. At the moment I'm pretty confident.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's okay.

PETE SAMPRAS: Just okay. I mean, I'm tired of talking about the injury. I mean, it is what it is. I'm going to go out there and try my best under the circumstances. I'm sure there are a lot of cynical players out there, reading all this stuff. You know, I'm definitely going to give everything I have this week.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, it was, for a number of different reasons. But, you know, I'm going to try everything to go out and play, and I've done that. You know, as you play on it, it's definitely not going to go away every night. But, you know, it's not an injury that is career-threatening, I'm not going to rip anything. It's sore. That's pretty much it. You know, we can talk about it all day here, but it is what it is.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, mentally I was a lot better. Against Justin, I was just kind of -- my mind wasn't there. I felt a little bit lost on Centre Court. Today I kind of knew what to expect. I only had the one day off. Against Justin, my mind wasn't there. It was on other things. Today, if anything, if I was going to lose this match, I wanted to come out with a good attitude, a positive attitude, not get down on myself, worry about this or that, what's been going on. That was my goal today, was to have some fun.

PETE SAMPRAS: No.

PETE SAMPRAS: Uh-huh.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I'm not thinking about it, to be honest with you. The only time I'm really thinking about it is when I'm in this room. I've got other things on my mind, who I'm playing, my preparation, trying to get ready to play. You know, sure, if I get myself in a position where I'm on the verge, sure, it crosses your mind. But you can't play these two weeks like you're playing for history. You've got to play like you're playing another Wimbledon. That's the attitude that I've had.

PETE SAMPRAS: Like a good question. I'm just kidding. That was a joke (laughter). Sorry. No, I mean, you have to expect it. Obviously, being engaged, I was going to answer some questions about that. My leg, the historical situation I'm on this week. I come in here and I answer your questions. It's something you expect when you come to England. I've had my moments in press rooms. I think things are pretty calm here.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, obviously the situation I had in '93, when I got into it with Foster a little bit. First I was the boring guy, then I was the biggest, most hated man in England. Wasn't sure how you guys wanted me to act. Boring or like a lunatic. Wasn't sure what you guys wanted.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah. I do remember it (laughter).

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I'm sure there are players. I can tell the way Jonas shook my hand today that, you know, he was thinking whatever he thinks. For the first time, the pressure's kind of on my opponent a little bit. They know I'm a little bit injured; the pressure's on them. They're not liking it. But I'm just going to go out and try to win. That's all I can do. They can believe or read what they want to read. It's still two guys playing out there. You know, if Jonas was hurt or whatever, I played guys that have been hurt, you just play your tennis. That's how I'm going to do it.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I'm sure. I'm sure a lot of players, whatever, think whatever they think. You can just tell. But that's fine.

PETE SAMPRAS: Usually, when it's a tough moment, I kind of carry it in my pocket , the vomit. I explode it, it comes out.

PETE SAMPRAS: Well, I've had my moments on the court of getting sick against Corretja, having pulls here and there. You know, I've always kind of prided myself on getting through whatever I have to get through. Athletes are injured, and you play through injuries. That's the bottom line. My opponents should just worry about playing me and not worry if I'm hurt or not. You know, my body has been fragile over the past couple years. But this is our biggest tournament, and I'm going to play it, do whatever I can to get to the weekend here.

PETE SAMPRAS: At the moment, sure, Thomas has been around a little bit longer. But Jan-Michael has had a great tournament. He's got a big serve; backs it up with good groundstrokes. Their games are pretty similar. They hit the ball very flat, through the court. They are still battling, I believe. It's anyone's match. Experience does help. Thomas has been here before. Wouldn't be surprised if Jan-Michael comes back and wins that match.

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah. It was last year against someone.

PETE SAMPRAS: Not necessarily.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's happened before, quarters. I've been in quarters on Court 1.

PETE SAMPRAS: It helps. It definitely helps. It's a court that I've lost one match in seven years now. Very comfortable with the surroundings. You know, I've gotten through some tough matches on Court 1. Not quite as comfortable, just a touch tough, a little bit harder on Court 1, a little bit quicker. Hopefully I can get back on the centre and get back home.

PETE SAMPRAS: The way things went today, I was very pleased. Returned well, got my second serve going, served big - that's really the key to grass.

PETE SAMPRAS: Met him one time a number of years ago, but never really talked to him much.

PETE SAMPRAS: I just signed a five-year, guaranteed $25 million contract (laughter). It's guaranteed. I don't have to perform.

PETE SAMPRAS: I think McEnroe does. No, I'm just kidding.

PETE SAMPRAS: It's not only about me, but a lot of players that think they're hurt, people hear this and that. There's always a cynical comment here or there that you hear from whoever. You know, I think guys know me. I've been around many years. I've got high integrity. There's always going to be cynics in this world.

PETE SAMPRAS: We have to go, don't we (laughter)? Cry me a river.